Other Therapy and Assessment Technical Workers
(NOC 3237)
in All HealthThis group includes workers who perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may help professionals like audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. They work in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, educational institutions, and in the private practices of the professionals they support.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Health
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Other Technical Workers in Therapy and Assessment most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 50% of Other Technical Workers in Therapy and Assessment who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $44,507. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$22.50
Median$25.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,599
Minimum$34,216
Median$50,394
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.38
Minimum$30.45
Median$41.35
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
This group includes workers who perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may help professionals like audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. They work in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, educational institutions, and in the private practices of the professionals they support.
Job duties
Hearing instrument practitioners:
- Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing.
- Recommend and dispense appropriate type of hearing instrument.
- Take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices.
- Fit, adjust, and make minor modifications to hearing instruments.
- Educate clients in appropriate use, care, and maintenance of hearing instruments.
- Perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.
Audiometric technicians:
- Under the supervision of audiologists, administer tests like pure tone hearing screening, impedance tests and noise level measurements using specialized equipment to determine hearing thresholds of patients.
- Instruct patients on test procedures and record results.
- Monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment.
- May take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments.
Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants:
- Help speech-language pathologists and audiologists during patient assessments.
- Carry out treatment programs, document results and develop materials for use with patients, under the supervision of speech-language pathologists or audiologists.
- Document patient rehabilitation progress.
- Check and maintain therapeutic equipment and materials.
Ophthalmic medical assistants:
- Use ophthalmic testing and measuring instruments to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision.
- Record test results.
- Help ophthalmologists in office surgery.
- Administer eye drops, ointments and medications as directed by ophthalmologists.
- Clean and maintain instruments and equipment used during examinations.
- Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history.
- Perform various administrative duties.
Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants:
- Under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs like thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy, and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.
Sample job titles
- audiology technician
- audiometrist
- hearing aid dispenser
- hearing aid practitioner
- hearing assessment technician
- hearing instrument practitioner
- occupational therapy technician
- ophthalmic assistant
- physical therapist assistant (PTA)
- physiotherapist assistant (PTA)
- speech therapy aide
- speech-language pathology assistant
Skills
You must be able to communicate effectively with people and demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, good judgement, patience, and self-discipline. Therapists must be creative and unique in their approach to each client. The ability to inspire confidence and to motivate clients is important. A strong sense of responsibility, good judgement, and communication skills are also necessary.
Job requirements
- Hearing instrument practitioners require completion of a three-year college diploma in a hearing instrument specialist program, including a period of supervised training.
- Licensure with a regulatory body is required for hearing instrument practitioners in Nova Scotia. Hearing instrument practitioners can prescribe and dispense hearing instruments in Nova Scotia.
- Audiometric technicians and communicative disorders and speech-language pathology assistants require completion of a 12- to 18-month college program in communicative disorders or some post-secondary education and on-the-job training.
- Ophthalmic medical assistants require completion of a one- to two-year college program or a two-year hospital-based training program in ophthalmic medical technology or a minimum of one year of supervised practical training under an ophthalmologist and completion of an approved ophthalmic assistant home study program.
- Physiotherapy assistants require completion of a two- to three-year college program in physical rehabilitation therapy or a two-year physical therapy assistant (PTA) program and supervised practical training.
- Occupational therapy assistants require completion of a two-year occupational therapy assistant (OTA) college program.
Other considerations
Those not employed with public institutions or agencies are often self-employed in a private or group practice. In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Retail trade
Educational services
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
15-24
25-34
35-44
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$39,698 median annual incomeBachelor
$35,509 median annual incomeHigh school
N/AApprenticeship
N/AMaster
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. They include courses in biomechanics, motor behaviour, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students, under the supervision of occupational therapists or physical therapists, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, observe and record patient progress, to direct patient participation in skill-enhancing, learning, and motivational tasks, correct or diminish pathologies, and to provide direct health education and promotion services. They include courses in occupational therapy like human lifespan development, occupational therapy principles and practice skills, treatment planning and implementation, record-keeping and documentation, patient education and intervention, activity and program direction, and assistive services management. They include courses in physical therapy like applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic neurology and orthopedics, physical therapy modalities, documentation skills, psychosocial aspects of health care, wound and injury care, electrotherapy, working with orthotics and prostheses, and personal and professional ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Halifax, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.